Thermostat with utility messaging

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure pertains generally to thermostats that are adapted to assist utilities in communicating with its customers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a thermostat having a display, a controller and a receiver that is coupled to the controller. The receiver is adapted to receive messages from a utility, and the controller is adapted to display one or more related display messages on the display.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/097,388, filed Apr. 29, 2011, which is a continuation of Ser. No.11/770,615, filed Jun. 28, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,726, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure pertains generally to controllers and more particularlyto HVAC controllers such as thermostats that include a display panel.

BACKGROUND

Controllers are used on a wide variety of devices and systems forcontrolling various functions in homes and/or buildings and theirrelated grounds. Some controllers have schedule programming thatmodifies device parameters such as set points as a function of dateand/or time. Some such device or system controllers that utilizeschedule programming for controlling various functions in homes and/orbuildings and their related grounds include, for example, HVACcontrollers, water heater controllers, water softener controllers,security system controllers, lawn sprinkler controllers, and lightingsystem controllers.

HVAC controllers, for example, are employed to monitor and, ifnecessary, control various environmental conditions within a home,office, or other enclosed space. Such devices are useful, for example,in regulating any number of environmental conditions with a particularspace including for example, temperature, humidity, venting, airquality, etc. The controller may include a microprocessor that interactswith other components in the system. For example, in many modernthermostats for use in the home, a controller unit equipped withtemperature and/or humidity sensing capabilities may be provided tointeract with a heater, blower, flue vent, air compressor, humidifierand/or other components, to control the temperature and humidity levelsat various locations within the home. A sensor located within thecontroller unit and/or one or more remote sensors may be employed tosense when the temperature or humidity reaches a certain thresholdlevel, causing the controller unit to send a signal to activate ordeactivate one or more component in the system.

The controller may be equipped with a user interface that allows theuser to monitor and adjust the environmental conditions at one or morelocations within the building. With more modern designs, the interfacetypically includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel inset within ahousing that contains the microprocessor as well as other components ofthe controller. In some designs, the user interface may permit the userto program the controller to activate on a certain schedule determinedby the user. For example, the interface may include a separate menuroutine that permits the user to change the temperature at one or moretimes during a particular day. Once the settings for that day have beenprogrammed, the user can then repeat the process to change the settingsfor the other remaining days. Such a schedule may help reduce energyconsumption of the HVAC system by changing the set point to an energysaving set back temperature during certain times.

Most structures are serviced by one or more utilities, such as anelectric utility, a gas utility, a water utility and others. The expenseof using these utility services continues to rise, particularly duringpeak demand periods. In order to better serve its customers, and in somecases to help reduce demand during peak or other periods, it would beadvantageous for a utility to be able to directly and more efficientlycommunicate with its customers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure pertains generally to thermostats that areadapted to assist utilities in communicating with its customers. Inparticular, the present disclosure relates to a thermostat having adisplay, a controller and a receiver that is coupled to the controller.The receiver is adapted to receive messages from a utility, and thecontroller is adapted to display related display messages on thedisplay.

The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodimentor every implementation of the present invention. The Figures andDetailed Description that follow more particularly exemplify theseembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative but non-limiting HVAC control system.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative but non-limiting example of a thermostat ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative thermostat operating in accordance with itsprogramming;

FIG. 4 shows the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 after the currentenergy demand and/or current energy cost has reached a critical level;

FIG. 5 shows the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displaying a firststored or received message;

FIGS. 6-7 shows the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 5 displaying asecond stored or received message;

FIG. 8 shows the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displaying a “PleaseConserve” message received from a utility;

FIG. 9 shows the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displaying a “StormWarning” message received from a utility or other source;

FIG. 10 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to electrical consumption including historicalelectrical consumption information;

FIG. 11 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to electrical costs including historical electricalcost information;

FIG. 12 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to water usage including historical water usageinformation;

FIG. 13 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to water usage costs including historical waterusage cost information;

FIG. 14 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to gas usage including historical gas usageinformation;

FIG. 15 show the illustrative thermostat of FIG. 3 displayinginformation related to gas usage costs including historical gas usagecost information;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of another illustrative method in accordancewith the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings,in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in likefashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materialsmay be illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the artwill recognize that many of the examples provided have suitablealternatives that may be utilized.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative but non-limiting HVAC control system 10.The illustrative HVAC control system 10 includes a thermostat 12 thatmay be adapted to interact with and control HVAC equipment 14. HVACequipment 14 may include one or more of cooling equipment 16, heatingequipment 18 and/or ventilation equipment 20. In some cases, coolingequipment 16 and heating equipment 18 may, for example, be combined in aforced air system, or perhaps a heat pump system, particularly inresidential and/or light commercial applications. In other cases, one ormore of cooling equipment 16, heating equipment 18 and/or ventilationequipment 20 may be distinct systems controlled by thermostat 12. Insome instances, it is contemplated that thermostat 12 may represent twoor more distinct thermostats, each controlling different equipmentwithin HVAC equipment 14, and or different zones within a structure.

In the illustrative embodiment, thermostat 12 may be adapted to interactand/or communicate with a utility 22. Utility 22 may represent a utilitycompany or another entity that produces or otherwise provides an energysource such as electricity, natural gas and the like, or providesanother utility such as water and/or sewer service. Utility 22 mayrepresent a utility company or other entity that provides a source ofhot water that can be used for heating and/or any other desired use.Utility 22 may provide hot water from a geothermal source, or by heatingwater using biomass or even microwave energy.

In some instances, thermostat 12 may receive signals from utility 22 viaa communication network 24. Communication network 24 may includewireless communication between utility 22 and thermostat 12, using radiofrequencies and the like. In some cases, communication network 24 mayrepresent a hard-wired communication network between utility 22 andthermostat 12, such as copper wiring, coaxial cable, CAT 5 cable, fiberoptics, and the like. In some instances, especially if utility 22provides electrical power to the building in which thermostat 12 islocated, communication network 24 may represent signals sent over thepower lines themselves. In some cases, part of communication network 24may be a wired and another part may be wireless. More generally,communication network 24 may be any suitable communication path betweenutility 22 or the like and thermostat 12.

In some instances, thermostat 12 may receive information from utility 22pertaining to utility usage, utility usage history, current and/orhistorical rate information, and the like. Alternatively, or inaddition, thermostat 12 may receive information from meter 26 pertainingto utility usage, utility usage history, current and/or historical rateinformation, and the like. In some cases, thermostat 12 may receiveinformation from utility 22 and/or meter 26 pertaining to a currentelectrical rate, say in cents per kilowatt-hour. In some instances,thermostat 12 may receive information regarding a remaining balance on aprepaid account, or perhaps monthly garbage and/or sewer charges.

Utility 22 and/or meter 26 may, for example provide information tothermostat 12 regarding a measure of utility usage. In some cases, themeasure of utility usage may be related to current utility costs over adesignated period of time (e.g. over a past year, a past month, a pastweek, a past day, a past hour, etc.), i.e., a current electrical costover a designated period of time, a current gas cost over a designatedperiod of time, a current water cost of a designated period or time andthe like. In some instances, a measure of utility usage may include aquantity of utility usage, and thus utility 22 may provide thermostat 12with information pertaining to how much energy (e.g. in KWH, which arekilowatt-hours), for example is currently being used over a designatedperiod of time (e.g. over a past year, a past month, a past week, a pastday, a past hour, schedule period, etc.).

In some instances, utility 22 and/or meter 26 may provide messagesrelating to utility usage. For example, utility 22 may provide, viacommunication network 24, one or more messages intended for a homeowner,facilities manager or the like. In some cases, if utility demand ishigh, utility 22 may provide one or more messages that permit orinstruct thermostat 12 to display suggestions on how to save energy,water or other resource. For example, if utility energy demand is highor expected to be high, thermostat 12 may display one or more messagessuggesting that the homeowner or facilities manager conserve energy bychanging a temperature set point, or perhaps suggesting that they waitand run energy intensive appliances later in the day, when utilitydemand may be lower. Utility 22 may, in some instances, provide one ormore messages that permit or instruct thermostat 12 to displayinformation pertaining to current or expected weather, current orexpected energy demand, current or expected pricing tiers, etc.

In some cases, utility 22 and/or meter 26 may provide one or moremessages that cause thermostat 12 to display information relating toutility billing. This may include utility billing history, currentutility billing rates and/or current utility costs, and the like.Thermostat 12 may display information pertaining to a measure of utilityusage during a first time period (e.g. a designated month such as thecurrent month) and information pertaining to a measure of utility usageduring a second time period (e.g. the designated month one year ago)that is different from the first time period. While not required, thefirst time period may occur temporally before the second time period. Insome cases, controller 34 may compute a measure of utility usage that isconsumed by the HVAC system of the building or other structure bymonitoring the on-time of one or more HVAC system components 16, 18and/or 20.

The first time period and the second time period may each,independently, be any desired length of time, and may be temporallyseparated by any desired time interval. In some cases, the first timeperiod may immediately precede the second time period. The first timeperiod may, if desired, be one or more months before the second timeperiod. In some cases, the first time period may be about a year or moreprior to the second time period.

In some cases, the first time period and the second time period may eachcorrespond to a one week (168 hours) time period, and the first timeperiod may correspond to an immediately preceding week relative to thesecond time period. In some instances, the first time period and thesecond time period may each correspond to a one month time period. Thefirst time period may be a one month time period that immediatelyprecedes the second time period. In some cases, the first time period(e.g. June 2006) may be a one month time period that is about one yearprior to the second time period (e.g. June 2007).

In some cases, the indication of the measure of utility usage that isdisplayed for the first time period may include an indication of thecost of utility usage during the first time period, and the indicationof the measure of utility usage that is displayed for the second timeperiod includes an indication of the cost of utility usage during thesecond period of time. In some instances, the indication of the measureof utility usage that is displayed for the first time period includes anindication of the quantity of utility usage during the first period oftime, and the indication of the measure of utility usage that isdisplayed for the second time period include an indication of thequantity of utility usage during the second period of time.

In some embodiments, thermostat 12 may be adapted to interact and/orcommunicate with a meter 26 over a communication line 28. Meter 26 may,for example, be adapted to measure and/or regulate a flow of energy orother resource (e.g. water) from utility 22, and may also providethermostat 12 with usage information via a wireless, wired, optical, orany other suitable communication path. In some instances, althoughdirect communication therebetween is not expressly shown in FIG. 1,meter 26 may provide utility 22 with usage information.

Communication line 28 may represent wireless communication between meter26 and thermostat 12. In some cases, communication line 28 may representa hard-wired line between meter 26 and thermostat 12, such as copperwiring, coaxial cable, CAT 5 cable, fiber optic cable, and the like. Insome instances, although not expressly illustrated in FIG. 1, it iscontemplated that meter 26 may also communicate with utility 22, and mayreceive utility rate information and the like from utility 22, but thisis not required in all embodiments.

The preceding discussion describes communication that may occur betweenutility 22 and thermostat 12 and/or between meter 26 and thermostat 12.In order to accommodate this communication, thermostat 12 may include areceiver and/or transceiver 30 that permits thermostat 12 to communicatewith utility 22 via communication network 24 and/or to communicate withmeter 26 via communication line 28. As noted, one or both ofcommunication network 24 and/or communication line 28 may be wired orwireless. In some cases, communication network 24 may, for example,include a wireless paging system, and receiver and/or transceiver 30 maybe a load control receiver that uses, for example, a 900 MHz pagingtechnology such as the FLEX® paging technology available from Motorola.One such load control receiver is available from Cannon Technologies,located in Wayzata, Minn., although it is contemplated that any suitablecommunication equipment may be used, as desired.

Thermostat 12 may include a user interface 32 that may be adapted toaccept information from a user as well as to provide information to theuser. In some cases, user interface 32 may include a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) as well as a keypad or similar entry device. In someinstances, user interface 32 may include a touch screen LCD thatprovides both functions.

Thermostat 12 may include a controller 34 that is adapted to oversee theaforementioned communications between thermostat 12 and utility 22and/or meter 26. Controller 34 may regulate information that issolicited and/or displayed on user interface 32. Controller 34 may beadapted to implement a control algorithm that is adapted to at leastpartially control one or more components of HVAC equipment 14.Thermostat 12 may include a memory block 36 that can be used to storeoperating parameters, utility usage history and the like.

Thermostat 12 may include a sensor 38, which may be located withinthermostat 12 as well as one or more external sensors 40, as desired.Each of sensors 38 and 40 may be any type of sensor, or may representmultiple sensors, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors and thelike. External sensors 40 may be hard wired to thermostat 12, or maycommunicate wirelessly, as desired.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative but non-limiting example of a thermostat 42that may be considered as representing thermostat 12 (FIG. 1), butshowing additional detail regarding user interface 32. Thermostat 42includes a thermostat housing 44 and an LCD display 46 that is visiblefrom outside thermostat housing 44. Thermostat housing 44 may be formedof any suitable material and having any suitable dimensions. In somecases, thermostat housing 44 is stamped or molded from a polymericmaterial. In some cases, LCD display 46 is a touch screen LCD, but thisis not required in all embodiments.

LCD display 46 may be considered as including a first region 48 and asecond region 50. In the illustrative embodiment, first region 48includes an array of pixels 52 that are arranged into a plurality ofrows and a plurality of columns to form an array of pixels that issuitable for displaying alphanumeric characters such as text in a dotmatrix format. In some cases, one or more of pixels 52 may be square orround fixed segment pixels. For example, first region 48 may include anarray of pixels 52 that are arranged into 7 rows and a total of 125columns. To more clearly illustrate the individual pixels, pixels 52 areschematically illustrated in FIG. 2 as unlit.

First region 48 may be constructed using either fixed segment type LCDdisplay or a graphic type LCD display. When first region 48 isconstructed as a fixed segment LCD display, a number of relatively smallfixed segments dots are provided, and in some cases, may be arrangedinto character blocks, with each character block having, for example,5×7 dots. In some cases, each character block can be addressedseparately and can form numbers, letters and a limited number ofsymbols. In other cases, each fixed segment dot can be addressedseparately. When first region 48 is constructed as a graphics type LCDdisplay, a relatively larger number of pixels are arranged in rows andcolumns, and each pixel can typically be individually addressed.

In an illustrative but non-limiting example, first region 48 may includeor be formed as fixed segment LCD display, and may include a total of 255×7 characters, for a total of 875 individual pixels 52. Each pixel 52may be square and may be 0.5 millimeters by 0.5 millimeters in size.There may be a small gap between adjacent pixels 52. In some cases,there may be a 0.05 millimeter gap between adjacent pixels 52. Thesepixels 52 may be formed as part of the fixed segment mask used infabricating the fixed segment LCD display.

In some cases, first region 48 may be used to display messages and othersimilar text. Controller 34 may be coupled to user interface 32 and maybe adapted to display a message including two or more text characters infirst region 48 using the array of fixed segment pixels 52. If desired,controller 34 may be adapted to scroll messages across at least part offirst region 48. This may be useful in displaying messages that are toolong to simultaneously fit in their entirety within first region 48.Scrolling may also be useful in attracting attention to messages beingdisplayed within first region 48. In some cases, a message may beflashed, i.e., repeatedly turned on and off, within first region 48 todraw attention to the particular message.

In some cases, display 46 may include a left arrow icon 54 and/or aright arrow icon 56, which may be used to scroll through a long message,or perhaps to scroll through multiple messages. Left arrow icon 54 andright arrow icon 56 may be constructed as fixed segment icons, and maynot be considered part of first region 48, even though they are locatedwithin an upper portion of display 46. In some embodiments, pressingright arrow icon 56 may cause controller 34 (FIG. 1) to display anothermessage, if another message is available, or to cause a message toscroll. Pressing left arrow icon 54 may cause controller 34 to display aprevious message or to cause a message to scroll.

Second region 50 of user display 46 may include a plurality of fixedsegment graphical icons. At least some of the fixed segment graphicalicons within second region 50 may be or may include a word, a perimeterboundary and/or a word within a perimeter boundary. In some instances,LCD display 46 is a touch screen LCD, and one or more of the fixedsegment graphical icons may coincide with one or more touch sensitivebuttons.

For example, second region 50 may include a message icon 58. Ifthermostat 42 has received or otherwise generated a text message to bedisplayed within first region 48, controller 34 (FIG. 1) may flashmessage icon 58 and/or may illuminate the “VIEW” text within messageicon 58. The “VIEW” text may be formed as part of a fixed segmentgraphical icon, if desired. Message icon 58 may coincide with a touchsensitive button or portion of LCD display 46. In some cases, messageicon 58 may include a fixed segment perimeter boundary 59.

Pressing message icon 58 may cause controller 34 to proceed withdisplaying and/or scrolling one or more messages within first region 48of display 46 using the array of fixed segment pixels 52. In some cases,once the message has been displayed, the “DELETE” text within messageicon 58 may be illuminated, although this is not required. Pressingmessage icon 58 at this stage may cause controller 34 to delete themessage that has been displayed or is currently being displayed. Secondregion 50 may include an “EXIT” icon 60. Pressing EXIT icon 60 insteadof message icon 58 may cause controller 34 to return to a previousscreen without deleting the displayed message or messages. Examplemessages are shown and discussed with respect to subsequent Figures.

Fixed segment LCD displays are often configured to display Arabicnumbers (0-9) using seven segments. In contrast, fourteen segments areoften needed to display other characters such as the Roman alphabet,measurement units and other symbols. In some instances, second region 50of display 46 may include a set 62 of fixed segments that are configuredto display numbers. In particular cases, set 62 may be configured todisplay utility usage data including utility usage quantity data and/orutility usage cost data. In some cases, set 62 may include a total offive fixed segment numbers 64, with each fixed segment number 64 havinga total of seven distinct bar segments 66.

Similarly, second region 50 of display 46 may include a set 68 of fixedsegments that are configured to display numbers. In some cases, set 68may be configured to display historical utility usage data includinghistorical utility usage quantity and/or historical utility usage costdata. In some cases, set 68 may include a total of five fixed segmentnumbers 70, with each fixed segment number 70 having a total of sevendistinct bar segments 72.

In some instances, second region 50 of display 46 may include a TIERicon 74 that may include one or more of a CRITICAL fixed segment 76, aHIGH fixed segment 78, a MEDIUM fixed segment 80 and/or a LOW fixedsegment 82. In some cases, utility 22 (FIG. 1) may provide a signal tothermostat 42 informing thermostat 42 that current energy costs and/orcurrent energy demand has reached a particular tier or level. Forexample, if energy demand and/or energy cost is low, the LOW fixedsegment 82 may be illuminated. The other fixed segments may beilluminated in accordance with the energy demand and/or energy cost dataprovided by utility 22. In some situations, TIER icon 74 may not beilluminated.

If the current energy demand and/or current energy costs reach acritical level, controller 34 (FIG. 1) may illuminate CRITICAL fixedsegment 76. In some cases, when the current energy demand and/or currentenergy costs reaches a certain level (e.g. high or critical), a SAVINGicon 84 may be illuminated or even flash indicating that controller 34has altered a temperature set point in accordance with the energy demandinformation provided by utility 22 (FIG. 1). In some cases, SAVING icon84 may be illuminated irrespective of the current tier level.

In some instances, utility 22 may, in response to energy demand and/orenergy cost data, may determine how temperature set points are to bealtered. A customer may, for example, sign a contract permitting utility22 to alter temperature set points and/or to determine temperaturedifferentials as necessary and/or appropriate. If utility 22 determinesthat a particular tier level has been reached, utility 22 may send asignal to thermostat 42 temporarily altering a temperature set point,either by providing a temporary temperature set point or by providing atemperature differential that can be applied to the temperature setpoint specified by the current schedule under which thermostat 42 isotherwise operating. The contract may permit utility 22 to send a signalto thermostat 42 instructing thermostat 42 to shut down HVAC equipment14 (FIG. 1) for a length of time that may be predetermined and/or may becalculated based, for example, on current energy demand and/or currentenergy rates.

In some instances, for example, utility 22 may provide a signal tothermostat 42 instructing thermostat 42 to change to a temporarytemperature set point. The temporary set point may vary, depending onthe current energy tier. For example, utility 22 may suggest or require,based at least in part on the contract signed by the owner, a heatingtemperature set point of 70° F. for a low energy cost, 65° F. for amedium energy cost, 60° F. for a high energy cost, and 50° F. for acritical energy cost. Utility 22 may suggest or require, based at leastin part on the contract, a cooling temperature set point of 72° F. for alow energy cost, 77° F. for a medium energy cost, 82° F. for a highenergy cost, 86° F. for a critical energy cost. These temperatures aremerely illustrative and are not intended to limit or define in any wayor manner. In some cases, utility 22 may provide thermostat 42 with theheating and cooling temperature set point values corresponding to eachtier level.

Controller 34 (FIG. 1) may issue a control signal to HVAC equipment 14for operating cooling equipment 16 and/or heating equipment 18 when thetemperature is different than the temperature set point associated withthe acceptable energy cost level. In the above example, when the currentenergy price is high, the control signal may issue control informationfor operating heating equipment 18 when the temperature fell to 60° F.or below. For cooling equipment 16, the control signal would issuecontrol information for operating cooling equipment 16 when thetemperature rose to or above 82° F. Additionally, the receiver and/ortransceiver 30 may receive information from the utility(s) for an energy(and/or water) bill for usage of energy (and/or water) during a timeperiod. In some cases, the user may authorize payment of the energy(and/or water) bill and have the authorization transmitted to utility 22via the thermostat 12.

In some instances, utility 22 may send a signal instructing thermostat42 to temporarily change its temperature set point by a particulartemperature differential that depends on tier level. For example,utility 22 may provide a signal including a temperature differential oroffset of 0° F. for a low energy cost, a temperature differential oroffset of 2° F. for a medium energy cost, a temperature differential oroffset of 6° F. for a high energy cost and a temperature differential oroffset of 10° F. for a high energy costs.

If, for example, the current temperature set point for heating is set at68° F. and the energy demand reaches the critical level, thermostat 42may temporarily operate with a temperature set point of 58° F. (68°F.-10° F.). If, for example, the current temperature set point forcooling is set at 76° F. and the energy demand reaches the high level,thermostat 42 may temporarily operate with a temperature set point of86° F. (76° F.+10° F.).

Depending on the specifics of the contract between the owner and utility22, in some cases the owner may be able to override the temporarytemperature set points provided by the utility. In some cases, the ownermay not be permitted to make any changes, and in fact thermostat 42 maybe instructed to not accept set point changes while utility 22 isproviding a temporary temperature set point and/or a temperaturedifferential to thermostat 42.

In some cases, it is contemplated that a homeowner, a facilities managerand/or an installer may program thermostat 42 with informationpertaining to how temperature set points are to be altered in responseto various energy demand and/or energy cost levels provided by utility22. In some cases, setback information that has been programmed intothermostat 42 may be based at least in part upon which time period(WAKE, LEAVE, RETURN, SLEEP) thermostat 42 is currently operating under.

FIG. 3 shows the illustrative thermostat 42 operating in accordance withits programming. On second region 50 of display 46, controller 34(FIG. 1) is displaying a current inside temperature value 86 and acurrent temperature set point 88. If message icon 58 is blinking orotherwise illuminated, pressing message icon 58 may cause one or moremessages to be displayed, as will be illustrated subsequently.

As TIER icon 74 is indicating that the current energy demand and/orcurrent energy cost is at a medium level, the illustrative thermostat 42may continue to operate in accordance with its schedule, as indicated bythe “Following Schedule” fixed segment icon 90. It can be seen that asthe temperature set point 88 is higher than the current temperaturevalue 86, the heat is currently operational.

In FIG. 4, TIER icon 74 is indicating that the current energy demandand/or current energy cost has reached a critical level 76. Whilecurrent inside temperature value 86 remains constant at 66° F., it canbe seen that the temperature set point 88 has dropped from the 72° F.value shown in FIG. 3 to a savings temperature value of 58° F., and theheat has thus shut off. In some cases, controller 34 monitors thecommunication with utility 22. In some cases, if the communication isbroken or otherwise not functioning properly for some reason, thermostat42 may return to its normal schedule until such time as communication isreestablished.

Returning to FIG. 3, assume for illustrative purposes that message icon58 is blinking or is otherwise illuminated. In the illustrativeembodiment, pressing message icon 58 will cause controller 34 (FIG. 1)to display stored or received messages, as shown in FIG. 5. First region48 of display 46 can be seen as displaying a message “Good Morning!”.Because there is more than one message to display (two, in thisexample), the message includes “½” in front of the message, and rightarrow icon 56 is illuminated. Pressing right arrow icon 56 may causecontroller 34 to display the second message, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.It can be seen that once the message has been viewed, message icon 58changes from illuminating the VIEW fixed segment icon to illuminatingthe DELETE fixed segment icon.

In this particular example, the second message is “2 HoneywellUtilityPRO Helps You to Save Energy”, which is too large to displaywithin the 25 character blocks forming first region 48. Thus, controller34 (FIG. 1) may scroll the message. This can be seen by comparing FIGS.6 and 7. In FIG. 6, first region 48 includes “2 Honeywell UtilityPROHe”, which is the first 25 characters of the message while in FIG. 7,first region 48 includes “0 Helps You to Save Energy”, which representsthe last 25 characters of the message. These are screen capturesillustrating how text fits within first region 48. While the message isbroken over two Figures, it will be understood that the message actuallyscrolls smoothly across first region 48 of display 46. In some cases, itis contemplated that text may be scrolled vertically, rather thanhorizontally.

Because a second or subsequent message is being displayed, it can beseen that left arrow icon 54 is illuminated, so that a user may moveback to the previous message. In some cases, if only one message isavailable or otherwise appropriate for display, neither left arrow icon54 nor right arrow icon 56 may be illuminated.

A wide variety of messages may be displayed. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, first region 48 of display 46 may, in response to a signal fromutility 22 (FIG. 1), display a message reading “Please Conserve!” Thismessage may be displayed when, for example, the utility demand is highor expected to be high. Similar messages may suggest that the personrefrain from running energy intensive appliances such as washingmachines until the energy demand drops. Another illustrative message isseen in FIG. 9, in which first region 48 of display 46 displays amessage reading “Storm Warning”, perhaps in response to utility 22forwarding a signal from the local weather authorities, or perhaps thelocal weather authorities are equipped to broadcast a warning signaldirectly to receiver and/or transceiver 30 (FIG. 1). It is contemplatedthat at least some of the messages may be targeted toward certaincustomers. For example, a tornado warning message may only be sent tothose thermostats that are within the geographic region that iscurrently under a tornado warning. In another example, an ozone or UVwarning message may only be sent to those thermostats that are withinthe geographic region that is currently experiencing high ozone or UV.Likewise, if the demand for energy is particularly high or expected tobe high for only some of a utility's customers or part of the utility'sgrid, a message may be directed to only those thermostats thatcorrespond to those customers (e.g. a unique message to a particulargroup of customers).

It is also contemplated that promotional messages may be sent to certainthermostats. For example, messages that inform users of certainpromotional or other events or services, such as sales at local stores,may be provided. Tips on saving energy and/or the maintenance ofequipment may also be provided. In some cases, a water utility may havecertain restrictions on water usage, such as limiting the watering oflawns to ever other day. In some cases, the water utility may send amessage to the thermostat to notify the user of the water restrictions.In some cases, the water utility may send a message indicating thatwatering of lawns is prohibited for the customer on a particularly day(e.g. today) or during some other time period.

In some cases, thermostat 42 may be adapted to provide a user withinformation regarding current and/or historical energy consumption dataand corresponding energy costs. For example, FIGS. 10-15 illustrativethis feature. Returning briefly to FIG. 3, in which thermostat 42 isoperating in accordance with its schedule, it can be seen that lowerregion 50 of display 46 includes a USAGE icon 92. In the illustrativeembodiment, pressing USAGE icon 92 brings the user to the screen shownin FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, controller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information pertainingto electrical consumption. In particular, controller 34 is instructingfirst region 48 of display 46 to display “ELECTRICITY IN KWH”, so thatthe user can put into context the numerical data displayed within secondregion 50 of display 46 using set 62 of fixed segments and set 68 offixed segments. Set 62 is displaying a value for the amount ofelectricity used thus far this month while set 68 is being used todisplay a value for the corresponding time period last year. Fixedsegment icon 94 informs the user of the current time period while fixedsegment icon 96 informs the user of the corresponding historical timeperiod. As discussed above, other time periods may also be chosen orotherwise selected or displayed, as desired.

Pressing right arrow icon 56 brings the user to FIG. 11, in whichcontroller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information regarding electricalcosts, while instead pressing EXIT button 60 would return the user toFIG. 3. In FIG. 11, first region 48 of display 46 now reads “ELECTRICITYBILL”. Fixed segment icon 98, representing a dollar sign, providesadditional context for the information being displayed. In some cases,fixed segment icon 98 may be omitted, if desired.

Set 62 is being used by controller 34 to display the electrical bill todate for the month while set 68 is being used by controller 34 toprovide the corresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon 54would return the user to the screen shown in FIG. 10 while pressingright arrow icon 56 will bring the user to the screen shown in FIG. 12.Pressing EXIT button 60 would return the user to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 12, controller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information pertainingto water consumption. In particular, controller 34 is instructing firstregion 48 of display 46 to display “WATER USAGE IN KGAL”, so that theuser can put into context the numerical data displayed within secondregion 50 of display 46 using set 62 of fixed segments and set 68 offixed segments. Set 62 is displaying a value for the amount of waterused thus far this month while set 68 is being used to display a valuefor the corresponding time period last year. Fixed segment icon 94informs the user of the current time period while fixed segment icon 96informs the user of the corresponding historical time period. Asdiscussed above, other time periods may also be chosen or otherwiseselected or displayed.

Pressing right arrow icon 56 brings the user to FIG. 13, in whichcontroller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information regarding water costs,while instead pressing EXIT button 60 would return the user to FIG. 3.In FIG. 13, first region 48 of display 46 now reads “WATER BILL”. Fixedsegment icon 98, representing a dollar sign, provides additional contextfor the information being displayed. In some cases, fixed segment icon98 may be omitted, if desired.

Set 62 is being used by controller 34 to display the water bill to datefor the month while set 68 is being used by controller 34 to provide thecorresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon 54 would returnthe user to the screen shown in FIG. 12 while pressing right arrow icon56 will bring the user to the screen shown in FIG. 14. Pressing EXITbutton 60 would return the user to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 14, controller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information pertainingto gas consumption. In particular, controller 34 is instructing firstregion 48 of display 46 to display “GAS USAGE IN CCF”, so that the usercan put into context the numerical data displayed within second region50 of display 46 using set 62 of fixed segments and set 68 of fixedsegments. Set 62 is displaying a value for the amount of gas used thusfar this month while set 68 is being used to display a value for thecorresponding time period last year. Fixed segment icon 94 informs theuser of the current time period while fixed segment icon 96 informs theuser of the corresponding historical time period. As discussed above,other time periods may also be chosen or otherwise selected ordisplayed.

Pressing right arrow icon 56 brings the user to FIG. 15, in whichcontroller 34 (FIG. 1) is displaying information regarding gas costs,while instead pressing EXIT button 60 would return the user to FIG. 3.In FIG. 15, first region 48 of display 46 now reads “GAS BILL”. Fixedsegment icon 98, representing a dollar sign, provides additional contextfor the information being displayed. In some cases, fixed segment icon98 may be omitted, if desired.

Set 62 is being used by controller 34 to display the water bill to datefor the month while set 68 is being used by controller 34 to provide thecorresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon 54 would returnthe user to the screen shown in FIG. 14 while pressing right arrow icon56 will return the user to the screen shown in FIG. 10, unlessthermostat 42 is equipped to display additional consumption or costdata. Pressing EXIT button 60 would return the user to FIG. 3.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are flow diagrams illustrating methods that may becarried out using thermostat 42 (FIG. 2). In FIG. 16, control begins atblock 100, where thermostat 42 receives a message from utility 22 (FIG.1). The message received from utility 22 may be related to energydemand, current and/or past energy costs, energy conservation, weatheralerts, promotional and/or advertisements and the like. At block 102,controller 34 (FIG. 1) displays on display 46 an indication of a measureof utility usage during a first time period. At block 104, controller 34displays on display 46 an indication of a measure of utility usageduring a second time period. In some cases, the first time period maypredate the second time period, but this is not required.

In FIG. 17, control begins at block 100, where thermostat 42 (FIG. 2)receives a message from utility 22 (FIG. 1). At block 106, controller 34(FIG. 1) displays on display 46 an indication of a measure of utilityusage during a period of time. Control passes to block 108, wherecontroller 34 displays on display 46 one or more display messages thatare related to the message received from utility 22. These messages maypertain to energy demand, current energy costs, energy conservation,weather alerts, advertisements and the like.

In some cases, the indication of the measure of utility usage during theperiod of time may be displayed on display 46 at the same time or nearlythe same time as the one or more messages are displayed on display 46.In some cases, they are not displayed simultaneously.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particularexamples described above, but rather should be understood to cover allaspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims.Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerousstructures to which the present invention can be applicable will bereadily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the presentinvention is directed upon review of the instant specification.

We claim:
 1. A method for operating a thermostat that controls at leastin part an HVAC system of a building or other structure, the methodcomprising: controlling the HVAC system to achieve a desired set point;receiving information either directly or indirectly from a utility,another service provider, or a meter, wherein the information is relatedto energy consumption of the HVAC system; and displaying on a display ofthe thermostat a display indicator that is based on the receivedinformation, wherein the display indicator simultaneously displays acost of utility usage during a first time period and a cost of utilityusage during a second time period, wherein the second time period isafter the first time period.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firsttime period corresponds to a first month and the second time periodcorresponds to a second month that is after the first month.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the first month immediately precedes thesecond month.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time periodcorresponds to a first day and the second time period corresponds to asecond day that is after the first day.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the first day immediately precedes the second day.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the thermostat comprises a user interface thatincludes the display, the method further comprising: receiving an inputfrom a user via the user interface to enter a utility usage mode; and inresponse to entering the utility usage mode, displaying the displayindicator on the display.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the displayis a touch screen display, and wherein the input is received from theuser via the touch screen display.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprises displaying on the display of the thermostat a request tomitigate demand on the utility.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein therequest to mitigate demand on the utility is in response to receiving acurtailment message either directly or indirectly from a utility,another service provider, or a meter.
 10. A method for operating athermostat that controls at least in part an HVAC system of a buildingor other structure, wherein the building or other structure receivesenergy from a utility, the method comprising: controlling the HVACsystem to achieve a desired set point; receiving a message eitherdirectly or indirectly from a utility, another service provider, or ameter, wherein the message includes a suggestion as to how to takeaction to mitigate a current demand on the utility; and displaying on adisplay of the thermostat a display indicator that is related to thereceived message.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the displayindicator suggests that the user change a temperature set point of thethermostat to save energy.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein thedisplay indicator suggests that the user refrain from running an energyintensive appliance until later.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein thedisplay indicator includes a textual message displayed on the display.14. The method of claim 10, wherein the utility includes an electricutility.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the utility includes awater utility, and wherein the message includes a suggestion that theuser not water their lawn in order to mitigate the demand on the waterutility.
 16. An HVAC controller for controlling at least in part an HVACsystem of a building or other structure, the HVAC controller comprising:an output for providing one or more control signals to control the HVACsystem; an input for receiving information related to energy consumptionof the HVAC system; a display; and a controller in communication withthe input, the output and the display, the controller configured todisplay an indicator on the display that is based on the informationreceived via the input of the HVAC controller, wherein the displayindicator simultaneously displays a cost of utility usage during a firsttime period and a cost of utility usage during a second time period,wherein the second time period is after the first time period.
 17. TheHVAC controller of claim 16, wherein the first time period correspondsto a first month and the second time period corresponds to a secondmonth that is after the first month.
 18. The HVAC controller of claim16, wherein the first time period corresponds to a first day and thesecond time period corresponds to a second day that is after the firstday.
 19. The HVAC controller of claim 16, further comprising: a userinterface that includes the display; the controller is in communicationwith the user interface and is configured to receive input from a uservia the user interface to enter a utility usage mode; and in response toreceiving the input to enter the utility usage mode, the controller isconfigured to enter the utility usage mode and display the displayindicator on the display.
 20. The HVAC controller of claim 16, whereinthe controller is configured to display on the display a request tomitigate demand on the utility.